Why Bob Martinez Won't Be GOP Chair Anymore

Not sure I follow

That seems like a reasonable response to me.  In some ways he's right, but what do they expect Ritter's been in there two days he's not going to have any ansewers yet.

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by: mountain man @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 17:07:49 PM UTC

That's the point

It's an attack on a Governor who has been in office for 2 days. Martinez is just going through the motions of the republican attack methodology. He has nothing to add, good or bad, other than this type of dribble. That is why he is on his way out.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 17:15:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly

It's like sending out a press release calling Ritter a poopy face. There's no strategy or message - it's pointless.

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by: Colorado Pols @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 17:27:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Or, or, try this one on Pols...

Maybe Ritter really needs to begin to outline ACTUAL details of what his agenda will be, instead of wanting to appoint "blue ribbon" panels on everything from Energy to Education.  What's wrong Pols?  Did you guys forget what the role of the State Parties were? 

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by: Ed Meese @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 17:43:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Or

That's what his state of the state address was; an OUTLINE.

Come on Ed, the state party is meant to encourage participation in public debate with meaningful views, not nonsensical dribble.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 18:17:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Role of the Party

The party chair needs to be the most strident voice of opposition. 

This isn't exactly aggressive stuff.

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by: Jack Shaftoe @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 18:42:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

true, but

I don't think "opposition" is the sole purpose of the party chair. The chair is primarily responsible for communicating the party's intent, interest and appeal to the voters. Bob is just, well, bland.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 19:31:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Or, maybe...

The GOP's elected officials should do that...check that...except Tancredo.

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by: Ed Meese @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 20:28:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

NEWSFLASH!

This is hardly the first time a party chair has made a partisan attack that is without merit.  Just looks like business as usual to me.  If BWB had won you better believe Pat Waak would have some snarky comment to add.

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by: mountain man @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 21:51:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's not the attack...

... it's the lack of a coherent strategy in opposition.  I want the party chair to be out there attacking.  I just want it to be on message and part of an overall strategy.

As for the elected officials, yes, they should be providing a clear voice of opposition as well, but there are some attacks that are better left to the chairman.

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by: Jack Shaftoe @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 22:08:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Really?

So is that all party politics has become to you? Negative campaigning? That Mr. Shaftow show's where the Republican Party has gone wrong.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 23:34:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Shaftoe, with an "e"

If Bill Ritter says, "I'm for higher taxes", the Republican Chairman should say "Bill Ritter is wrong, higher taxes are wrong for Colorado, and Republicans stand against higher taxes."  Is that negative campaigning?

If Bill Owens says, "I'd like to cut taxes", the Democrat Chair should say "Bill Owens is wrong, lower taxes are wrong for Colorado, and Democrats stand against lower taxes."  Is that?

I'm not exactly sure when taking an adversarial approach becamse "negative campaigning."  Negative campaigning is going after an opponent's personal life or deliberately misrepresenting their position.  I want to see contrast.  The two parties should stand for different things.  The job of the party chairman is to highlight those differences and play the role of the partisan hack.  It's the ultimate "our side is right, your side is wrong" position.

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by: Jack Shaftoe @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 23:42:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Comity -- wherefore art thou ?

(laughing)  GOP state party chair, Bob Martinez, has tipped his hand to the new policy of the Republican minority : anger and derision. Rather than pledge any comity with the opposition, Martinez goes on the offensive trying to score brownie points with his dejected base. Ritter's barely begun to govern and the GOP can't resist the opportunity to knock him. Sour grapes ?

  It's funny that in the 2006 mid-terms, one of the GOP strategies was to paint all Democrats and progessives as "angry" and, in fact, that term was co-opted as a talking point from Mehlman's RNC. Portraying Dems as "angry" was somehow synonymous with "unhinged" or "unbalanced" and intended as a pejorative.

  Would it be equitable to now brush our elephantine friends with that same broad brush ? It certainly applies to former State Senate leader John Andrews who seems to exist in various shades of apoplexy at all times. Ah, the travails of politics.  jtrione@mac.com

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by: Progressive Patriot @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 18:11:48 PM UTC

apoplexy

John Andrews reminds me of Yosemite Sam.  :-)

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by: Emma Anne @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 19:56:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hey, John Andrews represents the best..........in 18th century thinking!

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by: One Queer Dude @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 00:54:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

John Andrews and MLK

Several years ago I read of him being at the MLK statue and march. 

Is he so effin' stupid, or is he just another opportunistic hypocritical politician?  MLK stood for everything JA despises.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 02:29:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Have you ever met the man?

He's not what you make him out to be.  Dr. martin Luther King, Jr. would like and respect John Andrews IMO.

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

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by: Lester Government @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 04:45:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, Ive met him

and MLK would disagree with Andrews on most issues. Andrews was a scam artist while sitting as the President of the Senate. He pulled a Delay by trying to redistrict the state of Colorado to create a permanent republican control map, after redistricting had already been completed (which occurs once every ten years). He even took it court, costing the taxpayers hundred of thousands in wasted tax money during a economic downturn. The man is scam an authoritative scam artist.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 17:22:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I've not.

But I've read enough to know what he prefers and doesn't.  And in probably ever case, he and MLK are on polar ends of issues.  Let's try:

Organized labor
Our militaristic culture
Economic equality
Government protecting the rights of individuals.

If JA were an adult in 1964 (I presume he wasn't) there is no indication in anything I've read that he would have supported "government interference" to accomplish civil rights.

Ask this:  Would MLK have spent any time hobnobbing with those good egalitarians over at the Independence Institute and their ilk? 

Didn't think so.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 02:27:15 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just to hear himself talk

I've know Bob for 10 years and always liked him.  At the state assembly last year I could see he was not ready for prime time.  When I read this comment in the paper this morning I heard a bitter man trying to be relevant.  The Bob Martinez I knew was not petty.  It is sad to see what he has become. 

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

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by: Lester Government @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 18:14:45 PM UTC

Best comment

And straight from the inside. 

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 19:12:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What????????????????????????

Hey Lester, what the hell are you talking about?

What do you want the head of the state GOP to do?  Stand up and cheer for a democratic governor?  How is calling on Ritter to be more in-depth on his future proposals being petty?  If you know him so well, then why not call him up and tell him your thoughts, instead of being a chicken shit weasel and posting it on a blog? 

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by: Ed Meese @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 20:36:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

John Q. Public is tired of this crap

MEMO TO GOP:  Try something constructive for a change...maybe people will learn to like us once again.

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by: FarmBoy @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 20:53:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ed Meese

still dosen't get it.  Two days have passed, for christ sakes.  Martinez is selling, and no one is buying.

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

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by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 21:32:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Do you really think anyone cares what Martinez says?

Speaking as a partisan Republican--I don't.  He crapped on the state GOP and I think he is just not credible any longer. 

But, he's right, of course.  I'm waiting for Ritter to say something--anything--of substance.  He's a good man but I really do think he's just not cut out for this job.  I love hearing the marshmallowy fluff-talk about whispy windy energy sources mixed with soft pillows in the universal healthcare centers.  I mean, just thinking about that imagery makes me feel like a boy scout frying marshmallows to put in my hot cocoa.

But this is politics.  And you have to be tough to do politics.  After all, can a man's destiny really be ritten in the wind?

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by: Dr. Dobson has God-like qualities @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 23:45:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

"I love hearing the marshmallowy fluff-talk about whispy windy energy sources mixed with soft pillows in the universal healthcare centers."

LOL! Love the imagery.  Now that's funny Dr. Dobson:)

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 05:31:22 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's Ironic

"call him up and tell him instead of being a chicken shit weasel and posting it on a blog."

And who are you again, Ed???

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by: roll the idiots @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 22:29:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My Dearest Ed

How far you've fallen since our Golden days with the Gipper!  The Great Man knew when to be statesman-like and when to bring down the hammer on the Dems.  I want the head of the Colorado GOP to "trust but verify".  I want my friend Bob to let the new governor know that he wants the best for the people of Colorado.  I want Bob to put the new governor on notice that talk is cheap and the honeymoon will be short(but a hell of a lot longer that two freeken days!).  I want the voters to know that the Colorado GOP is capable of governing and not just full of vitriol.  I want leadership.

And Ed, how do you know I haven't spoken with Bob about his comments?

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

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by: Lester Government @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 00:10:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The forgotten

The Gipper couldn't even remember his own name while in the White House and you idealize his role in destroying this country by not bringing people together, but crafting an American country on the basis of fear.

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

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by: Go Blue @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 17:24:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Urban Myth

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

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by: Lester Government @ Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 21:46:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He's disappointed.

Disappointed that Ritter won't govern like the administration.  Don't study a topic, just follow your gut and jump right in, regardless of consequences.  I don't think either Lincoln or FDR had a plan two days after their inaugurations.  I correct myself, maybet they had some ideas, since inaugurations took place in March back then.  Regardless, I'm sure they only had rough plans in place until they could sit in the Official Presidential Chair.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 19:15:57 PM UTC

And this, dear friends, is why the adults are in charge now

The very best to Governor Ritter. What a breath of fresh air to have someone talking straight and giving hope to the citizens of this state - especially the rural areas of Colorado who have so much to offer.

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by: FtMorganRepublican @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 19:51:40 PM UTC

You're spending too much time in the barn next to that horses ass

Just where was Martinez' plan to keep Colorado red?  Educational funding? Transportation issues?  Air Quality issues?  Quality of life?  Health care?  Oh, sorry -- the precious free market (which is code for "my friends have a corner on the market and it's going to stay that way) would have fixed all of that.  On second thought, Mr. Martinez, go back to the barn and shovel horse manure until you fully understand what happened to the Republican party under your watch.

...(and this is from one of your own)

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by: Wavin Wheat @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 20:07:00 PM UTC

Bye-bye Bob!

You were terrible, Bob Martinez.  You seem like a nice enough guy.  But what made you ever think you could git'r'dun for the Colorado GOP?

You will look like some dweeby Congressional page after Wadhams comes on in and storms the state political scene.

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by: Dr. Dobson has God-like qualities @ Fri Jan 12, 2007 at 23:37:20 PM UTC

Gov Ritter worries Bob Martinez

So far, until Gov Ritter won, Bob Martinez was apparently not worried. Everything was going great for Colorado, so why worry, right Mr. Martinez?

People kicked you out, Mr. Martinez, precisely because you never understood what the people were worried about.

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by: Hello2007 @ Sat Jan 13, 2007 at 08:35:27 AM UTC

Bob Martinez, Chauncey Gardiner Separated at Birth

Being the CO R party chair is kinda like being Chauncey Gardiner in "Being There"

Pres:  "Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?
[Long pause]

Chauncey: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.

Pres: In the garden?

Chauncey: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again.

Pres: Spring and summer.

Chauncey: Yes.

Pres: Then fall and winter.

Chauncey: Yes.

Commentator: I think what our insightful young friend is saying is that we welcome the inevitable seasons of nature, but we're upset by the seasons of our economy.

Chauncey: Yes! There will be growth in the spring!

Commentator: Hmm!

Chauncey: Hmm!

Pres: Hm. Well, Mr. Gardner, I must admit that is one of the most refreshing and optimistic statements I've heard in a very, very long time. I admire your good, solid sense. That's precisely what we lack on Capitol Hill."

Martinez's non-statement reflects his non-leadership.

The CO Rs do not have a leader that speaks for the party.  It also has no official position on substantive CO issues.  The party relies on individual candidates to voice their opinions rather than have a cohesive party platform.  Compare the CO D web site with the R web site. One has a platform posted, the other doesn't.  Nobody knows what CO Rs officially stand for on Colorado issues, so the void is filled by the likes of Tancredo and the far right who push positions that alienate Colorado voters.

Can CO Rs get their act together?  Doubtful.  The last time Ds controlled government in CO, they held a majority for 20+ years.  I'll be dead by then.

Rs are looking a lot like Libertarians these days -- they have a few representatives in government, but no realistic chance of affecting anything.  Without the consent of the Ds, they can't pass anything, they can't oppose anything, they can't get anyone appointed, they can't oppose an appointment.

Is Wadhams the answer?  It seems delusional to think that his style of campaigning and management (Allen's maccaca blow out, Rove 2.0, Conrad Burns loss in MT) will bring voters to the Rs.  Chauncey Gardiner wif' a attitude!

 

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.  Thomas Jefferson

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by: bpilgram @ Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 01:34:06 AM UTC